This calculator estimates the performance of an insulated vertical flat surface given the operating temperature, the ambient temperature, and other details about the system.
Instructions
Line 1. Enter the surface area of interest
Line 2. Enter average operating (process) temperature for the period of operation
Line 3. Enter average ambient temperature for the period of operation
Line 4. Enter average wind speed for the period of operation (if unknown, use 1 mph for indoor, 8 mph for outdoor)
Line 5. Select an insulation material. Note: Calculator does not screen for material temperature limitations - use caution.
Line 6. Enter a cost multiplier to modify the default installed costs (e.g. enter 1.10 to increase costs 10%)
Line 7. Enter the effective emittance of the exterior surface (see MIDG>Design Data>Table 1 for guidance)
Line 8. Enter the expected life of the insulation system in years
Line 9. Enter the number of hours per year of system operation (e.g. 8760 for full year operation)
Line 10. Enter the conversion efficiency of the system in percentTypical conversion efficiencies for various systems are:
Fossil fuel boilers (Non-condensing)
65 - 85%
Fossil fuel boilers (Condensing)
80 - 95%
Electric resistance boilers
92 - 96%
Electrically operated chillers
300 - 700%
Absorption chillers
60 - 100%
Line 11. Select the fuel used
Line 12. Enter cost of fuel if known or use default value
Assumptions
One dimensional, steady state heat transfer
Base structure is a vertical flat steel surface
Thermal conductivity based on ASTM Specification Values
Installed costs of insulation are from industry sources and represent single layer installations
Installed costs include aluminum jacketing but do not include vapor retarders or vapor sealing
